Nigeria: Fifty Years After Independence

BBC reports on various aspects of Nigerian life fifty years after independence. Chinua Achebe, Nigeria's foremost literary scholar, gives his opinion on Nigeria's fiftieth anniversary here.

Hear Who Is Talking

In a recent speech at the United Nations, Paul Biya, Cameroon's dictator for about 28 years now, made this disingenuous observation:
"How can we today explain why Africa is the only continent without a permanent member on the UN Security Council? How can we explain the fact that it is unable to make its voice heard when its problems are examined in global economic and financial bodies whereas the decisions taken will be imposed on it?"
Biya seems to be the only one who does not see Africa's weakness in global geopolitics, a weakness that has been exarcerbated by the poor leadership demonstrated by people like him. To wonder why Africa does not have a permanent seat in the security council is to give the impression that such a seat is meant only for purposes of representation rather than as a demonstration of political clout, a thing Africa still does not have. This fake pan-Africanism from Biya is intended to divert attention away from his dictatorial and incompetent governance. As if he would know what to do if given such a seat!

An Error in Judgement?

What do you make of this goal that has turned viral on the internet?

Cameroon Cuts 2010 Budget By 2%

The Cameroon government has cut the 2010 budget by 2% not 50 percent as previously speculated. For more on the reason for the cut, see this piece.

New HIV Cases Decline the Most in Africa

Greater awareness and better use of preventative measures contribute to decline. This is an indication of better days ahead.

Kagame Strikes Again!

As the world continues to praise the strides that Kagame is making in Rwanda, attention is diverted away from his autocratic tendencies. This is the same posture the rest of the world took that enabled monsters such as Amin, Mobutu, and others. One of Kagame's critiques has just been jailed for life for attempting to overthrow the government, a charge that is probably made up. As the world turns away from Kagame's crimes, the more autocratic he becomes. Kagame is a reincarnation of some horrible, first generation post-independence African leaders.

Was There Genocide in Zimbabwe?

The massacre of thousands of people in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe in early 1980s has been classified as genocide by Genocide Watch.

Astroturfing in Nigeria?

A demonstration against the commission set up to fight against corruption in the River State, Nigeria, seems to be the work of some political giants who are using the common people to achieve their political goals. Perhaps the demonstration shows how even the fight against corruption in Nigeria is being derailed by political machinations.

Re-imaging Africa

Various ways are being used to remake the image of Africa. This initiative is one of the latest attempts.

As the Spotlights Turn to Museveni . . .

After Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the spotlights have turned to Museveni's decision to run for the presidency again in 2011 in Uganda. However, Paul Biya of Cameroon, another president who has been in power for longer than Museveni and who will be running again in 2011, has hardly been mentioned in the Western media. I wonder how the media decides who to scrutinize and who leave alone.

Starving the Beast: Cameroon's Budget Crisis

Cameroon is in a budget crisis as ministries seem to be slashing their budgets in mid-year. The budget of the ministry of scientific research is said to have been slashed by about 60%. Although the budget crisis is blamed on limited revenue intake, it appears that the government has something to hide. However, such budget crisis may cause the corrupt Biya government to collapse under its own weight.

Are Tourists Spoiling Ancient Egyptian Ruins?

Watch.

Assessing Nelson Mandela's Legacy: The Rise of Critical Voices

Anyone who knows human nature would acknowledge that the saintly Nelson Mandela, like all saints, has a complex character. This complexity, it appears, has hardly been emphasized. But that is beginning to change with the rise of critical voices.

Jermaine Jackson and Africa's Young Dictator

African American celebrities such as Jesse Jackson have been supping with African dictators for a very long time now. The latest one to do so is Jermaine Jackson.

Economists Ponder the Prospects for Growth in Africa

The Economist invites economists to ponder on Africa's development prospects.

Poor Children Dying of Neglect

Reports show how poor children are abandoned to die.

Showings of Ancient Art from Nigeria Debuts in Houston

The artistic creations of ancient Africa are telling a different story from what is usually assumed about the ancient history of the continent. This exhibition adds to the debunking of some of the myths held about the nature of ancient Africa.

When Religious Leaders in Senegal Get Angry

The ban of street begging in Senegal has ignited the ire of religious leaders who see it as an attempt to undermine Koranic schools that thrive on such activities. These leaders are calling for the head of the president.

The Trouble that is Sudan's Al-Bashir

The trouble that the arrest of Al-Bashir poses to the international community is exceedingly intricate as captured in this article.

"Corruption Can Be Defeated" - Mr. Ribadu

Mr. Nuhu Ribadu has been involved in fighting corruption in Nigeria for a while now. In this essay he argues that corruption can be defeated in Africa.

The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, described it perfectly when he said, “Corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development, undermining a government’s ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice, and discouraging foreign investment and aid.”

Despite the immense size of the problem, corruption can be defeated. My own experience at the EFCC in Nigeria taught me that change is possible, yet difficult.

10% Growth for Nigeria's Economy

Nigeria's Economy is expected to grow by 10% by the end of 2011 or early 2012. It grew by more than 7% in the first half of this year.

Kagame's Reverse Genocide?

Claims that may tarnish the "good name" of Paul Kagame often seem to draw vigorous debate between his supporters and detractors. However, recent claims that his army might have committed a reverse genocide in Rwanda seems to be one that calls for proper investigation. Kagame is of course not the saint that some paint him as being and not the monster others suppose him to be. He must however be vigorously investigated when horrible claims are made against him and be praised when he makes progress. Kagame's main problem now, as is the case with most African leaders, is that he hates dissent. This attribute has often taken African countries down awful roads that must not be repeated.

Before Brazilian Soap Operas Made Waves in Nigeria . . .

Before Brazilian soap operas began making waves in Nigeria, Brazil had already been awash in Nigerian culture. The exchange of cultures between the two countries has been going on for a very long time.

Dirty Hands: How A Wired World Fuels Conflict in Africa

A TIME video report and a CNN story.

The Complexity of the Crises in Sudan

What is behind the conflicts in Darfur and South Sudan? Oil, race, religion? This 30 minute video report attempts to decipher the matter by interviewing some of the actors in the conflicts.